Car Review: 2006 BMW 120D

2006 BMW 120d

PHOTO: Handout, BMW

By Derek McNaughton, Canwest News Service

Originally published: August 10, 2011

SMALL

MEDIUM

LARGE

BMW knows there is a big market in Canada for small cars, especially one capable of 61 m.p.g. on the highway. It also knows it has a great car in the 1-Series, already selling well in Europe. But it has no idea when — even if — it will bring this gem to our shores.

Too bad, too, because the 1-Series has all the flavour of the bigger BMWs in the stable but in an efficient, attractive package.

This is a rear-wheel-drive car with four doors that rides wonderfully, shifts like a dream and handles with the trademark stability of every BMW before it. The 1-Series has almost the same interior as the new 3-Series and an exterior that still looks very much part of the BMW family.

The turbocharged diesel engine in the model I drove, imported as part of Transport Canada’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Program and put on display at the Car of the Year TestFest, was quiet, smoke-free and full of power, able to produce 163 horsepower, and, remarkably, 251 pound-feet of torque. This is a diesel engine unlike any other I have driven.

The best part, however, is how astonishingly little fuel is consumed. The BMW registered mileage that could rival any hybrid — 37 m.p.g. (7.6 L/100 km) in the city and 61 (4.6) on the highway.

Fit and finish is as sophisticated as any of the larger, and more expensive, BMWs. Transport Canada says the car will, with only minor tweaks, easily clear all Canadian requirements. Officials seemed almost eager to see it come to Canada.

A BMW spokesman said the automaker would like to bring the car here, but has to make sure the infrastructure is in place so its dealers can handle the volume and still maintain the high level of BMW service.

Hurry up, BMW, if you don’t want to lose more market share to Mazda, Honda and, very soon, Nissan, which is coming out with a hot-looking replacement for the Sentra.